Buddy Up Animal Society

08/16/2025

🧬 Key Neurological Effects of Pain on Behavior:

1. Sensitization of the Nervous System
Peripheral Sensitization: Damaged tissues release chemicals (like prostaglandins and cytokines) that lower the pain threshold at the site of injury.

Central Sensitization: The spinal cord and brain become more reactive to pain signals over time, even to normally non-painful stimuli—this is why chronic pain often leads to exaggerated or inappropriate responses.

🧠 Result: Dogs become more irritable, hypervigilant, and more likely to react strongly or aggressively to minor triggers.

2. Increased Activity in the Amygdala
The amygdala, a part of the limbic system, processes fear and threat. Chronic pain can cause heightened amygdala activation, increasing fear, anxiety, and aggression.

🧠 Result: A normally tolerant dog may begin resource guarding, react fearfully to touch, or become more noise-sensitive.

3. Suppressed Prefrontal Cortex Function
Pain affects the prefrontal cortex, which governs decision-making and impulse control. In dogs, this can manifest as:

Decreased frustration tolerance
Reduced capacity for training
Increased impulsivity or "reactivity"

🧠 Result: The dog may seem like they're "forgetting their training" or overreacting unpredictably.

4. Neurochemical Changes
Chronic pain alters the balance of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine—all of which affect mood, motivation, and social behavior.
🧠 Result: You might see lethargy, depression-like symptoms, or avoidance behaviors.

🐾 Behavioral Red Flags Suggesting Pain
From a trainer’s or caregiver’s perspective, behaviors that could be rooted in pain include:
Sudden onset of aggression or reactivity
Avoidance of handling or interaction
Restlessness or changes in sleep
Resistance to movement or apparent "stubbornness" (no, dogs aren't stubborn)
Changes in posture or gait
"Shutdown" or disengaged behavior during training

🔍 Bottom Line
Pain doesn’t just hurt—it rewires the brain. That’s why a behavior change should always prompt consideration of a vet check.

08/16/2025

"It doesn't hurt. He's fine."

Assuming an animal is not in pain is one of the biggest dangers to animal care and animal welfare.

When we don't know and cannot confirm if something is causing the animal pain I think we should use extreme caution.

Some things we know:

⭐Pain is different for different individuals as well as different species.
⭐Pain is unique. Your toothache may be excruciating but mine may be very mild. We cannot make a blanket statement about pain.
⭐Some animals hide pain but this does not mean that they are not experiencing pain.

⭐ Some things may not cause us pain because we understand it but if someone, including an animal is startled or does not know where a sensation is coming from it may cause pain.

Example: an invisible fence shock collar. If we try it on ourselves we understand what causes the shock. The dog does not.

The Wong-Baker Faces pain scale does not exist for animals.
We rely on behavior changes, medical changes but it requires observing.

By saying, "s/he's fine" we remove the ability to make those initial observations.
We have already turned off our observation skills.

If your vet says an animal is in pain, listen, and work with your vet to make a pain management plan.

If you are concerned that your dog is in pain but your vet is not, keep talking or seek a second opinion.

No one ever wants their animal to be in pain.
One way to help them, is keep an open mind and seek professional help.

Watch how they get up/lie down, how they move, how they react to sounds or touch. Do they scratch or itch a lot? Keeping an open mind about pain will be the first step to helping your animal.

Pain happens to all ages, not just seniors.

08/14/2025

Now imagine this…😔

You’re 12 years old. Your owner passed away, and you were then surrendered to a shelter.

No family member could take you. Now you’re without the only person you were familiar with.

That’s the reality of Valentines past few days. 💔

Valentine is looking for a new chapter. If it could be you, please come in and meet her.

However, she does have some special needs; she’s allergic to chicken. Valentine would do best as the only dog in a home, and while she’s not a fan of cats or young children, she’d love a calm, loving family with kids 10 and up. It breaks our hearts to think about the life she’s had to lead so far, but there’s still hope for her future. If you’re looking for a loyal companion to offer a second chance, Valentine could be the one to change your life. Be the new beginning she deserves.

08/07/2025

"Kelly, just curious what are your thoughts on slip leads and martingales. I am curious about these two options. I was not sure because in some videos it sats it evenly distributed pressure." 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 F-ing unregulated industry..🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬.

The Perfect Fit Harness company made this visual aid years ago. It still holds true today.

One surefire way to separate your trainers are just listening if they recommend a slip lead. You do not need to listen any further to hear choke chain, prong collar or shock collar. You already know you are dealing with someone who will gladly cause longterm injury to your dog because it beings them a buck today.

Now, if you are picking up a stray or working in a veterinarian office and rely on a slip lead for backup to an owner supplied leash, I get it.....but to require one for trainer....those peope are dumber than words can describe. Run!!! The injuries they cause might not be immediate but will show in time.
🐾💔🐾

08/05/2025

08/04/2025

😘😍🥰🤣😘

07/18/2025

For six years, photographers David Lei and Jacqueline Emery have carefully followed two canines and documented their secret lives. The duo could mark a major milestone for the species if they have pups in the park.

Follow Lei and Emery's journey documenting these ghost dogs: https://bit.ly/4lOn4Pt

📸: David Lei

07/16/2025

George Kittle is investing $5 million in a 37 acre “Dogtopia” facility near California.

The facility is designed as more than just a shelter—it is a full-fledged healing center for abused, neglected, and traumatized dogs.

07/14/2025

A New York trial court has allowed a claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress to proceed in a case involving a dog that was struck and killed by a car. The ruling is under appeal.

07/13/2025